Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Post Genz-Benz: Amp lineup?
- Thread starter RocketMusic
- Start date
IMO, probably not. Two very good dealers at this point, and relatively low demand. IMO there. Same thing with TecAmp.
I would again focus on maybe adding one more bass brand to the portfolio. Not sure which one. MTD is kind of oversaturated at the moment in the dealer network, and the really small luthiers (Skjold, Stambaugh) seem to do fine selling direct. Another kind of 'second tier' boutique like Roscoe (second tier on awareness and 'buzz', not quality of course) would be perfect. Can't think of what brand that would be..... Reverend would have been an option a number of years ago, but seems they have lost their way a bit. It would need to be somewhat of a 'production shop' like Roscoe... can't think of one at the moment. Lull, of course, but that is already in the stable.
You're exactly describing Regenerate Guitar Works. If you're at NAMM in January, stop by the booth. Rod's work is easily on par with everyone else listed.
A new website is in the works, but there are current pics and info at https://www.facebook.com/RegenerateGuitarWorks
Yes, I endorse RGW, but I'm not paid to play or sell them. I've been a paying customer since nearly the beginning.
Not familiar with that line of basses, but that seems like the type of thing that would well for Greg and the gang.
That is an interesting choice. You really don't hear much about them any more at all (at least on TB and in the circles of players I hang with). However, they are still advertising in Bass Player, etc., and looks like very nice stuff. That might be an option!
I agree with going with a new Bass brand and not carrying another amp. How about Dingwall? They have plenty of fans and seem to be gaining popularity. Pedulla is a good choice as well. I never heard of Regenerate Guitar Works but if I saw one I'd pick it up and play it and, knowing me, if I liked it I'd buy one!
I brought my Malibu 6 prototype home from NAMM this year... I wasn't really in the market for a 6, but it was SO good that I just couldn't pass it up. Excellent fretwork and setup, incredible tone, superb playability and feel, and the overall construction was every bit as good as all the "big names" I'd been checking out at the show. RGW had 6 basses that were equally amazing instruments, but I wanted to try a 6-string again. It has since become my go-to instrument.
Oh, another cool thing is that RGW will do lefty basses as a standard option. Any model, any color - no upcharge for a lefty.
Dingwall makes MUCH sense to me (assuming there is money to be made of course). Pedulla might be a little too 'close' to the Roscoe thing (the ones I played were Bart loaded and were in the same kind of tonal universe as the Roscoe).
Dingwall... class brand, unique instruments, moderate awareness..... nice profile for a small, hands on, value add dealer like Rocket.
Who knows though, the Novak thing is kind of a niche within a niche of high end basses, but a good one for the guys at Rocket to at least consider.
About the only bass I haven't tried but am curious about is Dingwall. The concept is interesting. I think the reason I haven't is maybe the "risk" of resale - you know how I am. 
It's hard for me to go with another brand as I love the feel and sound of my Roscoe so much.
It's hard for me to go with another brand as I love the feel and sound of my Roscoe so much.
Agreed about Dingwall however their "Combustion" line will probably complicate things for a smaller dealer but then again..maybe not. I know Ive considered them a few times and if they were within a few hours drive to test I may surely buy one.
Sheldon (Dingwall) has been nothing but a class act any time Ive dealt with him.
Steve I owned a 4 banger for a number of years and still kick myself for letting her go. Prob one of my favorite bass tones ever...
Sheldon (Dingwall) has been nothing but a class act any time Ive dealt with him.
Steve I owned a 4 banger for a number of years and still kick myself for letting her go. Prob one of my favorite bass tones ever...
But Pedulla is all 34" scale which some prefer. However, Pedulla isn't as customizable as Roscoe. By that, I mean they won't let you choose other brands of pickups or preamps, it's all Bart as far as I know.
+ Just musing about all of this. Hard to get that brand portolio exactly right, with minimal overlap but yet still a relatively high potential to sell enough units to make it worthwhile.
I've always been impressed with the Rocket line-up (and of course the service, etc.). Suhr (vintage), Lull (updated classic), Roscoe (modern fancy schmancy). None of those brands really overlap, and all are in that niche of being 'somewhat known' but not carried by the big stores, etc. Nice. Maybe nothing more really needed, and just some clinics or more marketing to make those brands pop a little more for Rocket.
I kind of thought this as well. For me personally (whatever that's worth) I can't think of many other "non-box store" brands I would buy at this point. Lord knows I have had a lot of basses over the last few years - some more than once. Aside from a Roscoe, I think I would go with a Lull (or maybe a Sadowsky) for the updated classic thing. I also like Lakland, but that is probably a little too "box store" for Rocket.
I think as far as "somewhat known" to quote Ken, Rocket has a very nice selection of basses and guitars. As far as amps, I'm not sure what to suggest. The "box stores" and mail order places carry a lot of stuff that's pretty popular. You don't want to get too boutique or price yourself out either.
Again, I think what you carry now is good. Maybe not a huge selection, but what's there is hi quality. I wish I had something more useful to ad. I love working with Greg and that knowledge and expertise goes a long way - with me anyway.
Wow! I had no idea. I guess that I haven't been on TB enough lately and some how missed this.
That's a bummer because they really make a great product. Just my observations but Fender seems to have a way of bringing down really good companies (that they purchase).
I guess with MF and Guitar Centers monopoly on Mark Bass they aren't an option but I'm totally loving my new MB Big Bang. It pairs with Berg cabinets extremely well and the sound of the BB head through the Berg 112 just kills!
Great bang for the buck IMO too.
Not much out there that really interests me these days. I was really disapointed in the sound of the Aguilar TH350. It paired terrible with the Berg 112 and I seem to have grown away from the more compressed Thunderfunk sound (plus they're priced unreasonable IMO in the current amp market).
I'd have to agree that the Mesa Walkabout amps are really nice but agian IMO price unreasonable in the current amp market. Uniques sounding amps though but not for everyone.
Yeah, the rough, fat, chewy tone of the TH heads are definitely not a good match with the HT112ER (or any of the HT cabs in the Berg line). With the CN cabs... magnificent.. simply perfect for a fat, warm, articulate tone FYI.
As you mention, some really nice sounding stuff out there... Markbass heads, the higher end GK heads, the Glockenklang Blue Soul, the TecAmp Puma... but none that would be particularly appropriate for Greg (or even available...
G-K amps are great, and so is Aguilar (already mentioned). Don't forget Bag End, Euphonic Audio, and Epifani cabs for your offerings. I would love to see bass players put the bug in Bag End's ear to update their bass amp offerings, as they make great cabs and used to be some of the best out there, but they just haven't been doing the big updates everyone else has done.
Acoustic Image is another fantastic amp company! Great guys, and great products!
I've heard Fender will be offering some new higher end bass amps based on the Genz Benz designs as the owner/designer of Genz Benz is now with Fender. I predicted the GB demise, but people didn't believe me. It came from an inside source.
Acoustic Image is another fantastic amp company! Great guys, and great products!
I've heard Fender will be offering some new higher end bass amps based on the Genz Benz designs as the owner/designer of Genz Benz is now with Fender. I predicted the GB demise, but people didn't believe me. It came from an inside source.
